Taser drawn on grandfather after threats to police officer in Chapel St Leonards
A 49-YEAR-old man, who threatened a police officer three times, suffered meningitis as a child which had affected his brain, a court was told.
Toni Schofield of East View Close, Chapel St Leonards admitted using threatening words and behaviour towards PC Anthony Ryan on September 6, last year.
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Skegness Magistrates' Court
Paul Wood, prosecuting, told the court that PC Ryan went to Schofield's home to serve an harassment order but as Schofield came to the door, the officer heard him on the phone saying: "They've come to serve a form and I'm not having it."
Mr Wood said Schofield, who had his three-year-old grandson with him, refused to accept the form and the officer left the house.
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However, Schofield followed him out to his car and was abusive to the officer, who then drew his Taser as a warning.
The officer then left the scene but later he saw Schofield in his vehicle, flashing his lights at him.
Mr Wood said the officer pulled into a lay-by and Schofield and his son, who was with him, got out of the car and Schofield again threatened the officer, who again drew his Taser as a warning.
Schofield left the scene after the officer called for assistance and police went to his house where he was arrested, and again threatened the officer.
A report from the Probation Service said that Schofield had had a physical injury to his brain when very young which had affected his judgement and he did take medication for it.
Mitigating, Saleem Khan said Schofield had suffered meningitis as a child which had affected his brain.
He said Schofield did a lot of work for charity and there were two sides to his character.
He said Schofield had initially been upset by the harassment notice which he felt was wrong as he had never even been questioned about it.
He was also upset that the officer had drawn his Taser when his grandson was present, although the court was told the officer had not seen the child.
The magistrates imposed a 12-month community order with supervision and ordered Schofield to carry out 130 hours of unpaid work for the community.
He was also ordered to pay £250 in prosecution costs.
6 Comments
by tikkamassala
Thursday, February 21 2013, 12:59PM
“He's definately got something wrong with his brian, this guys been a nutcase for years!!”
by Localperson55
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 10:29PM
“Mary 81 - so you are saying it was okay for the police to arbitrarily assault a child but they now have too much power. Sadly, the world is very different to the one you seem to be looking back at with an overdose of nostalgia.”
by InsideStory
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 6:15PM
“I agree with Mary going by the reports we see in the news even the police are not squeaky clean.
Too much power too much bad attitude.”
by Darrendoldrum
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 12:01PM
“Police have too much power? Police powers are devolving by the day and this is not a good thing, as evidenced by growing crime, escalating violence towards vulnerable people and the police themselves. The Police are not aided by the Clown Prosecution Service who allow more and more criminals the opportunity to walk free without even going near a court. Prison and non-prison sentances mean absoultey nothing. The Police Service might as well stand down and let this country become lawless as between the CPS, the courts and the EU, we're going that way anyway. I hate to have to admit it, but vigilantism is starting to seem like a viable - if unsavoury - solution these days.”
by colliebird1
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 11:40AM
“Anyone who uses threatening behaviour should be locked up. He's not a good example to his grandson either.”
by mary81
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 10:52AM
“I was taught to respect the police, The only time I got in to trouble with them was when I got told off for singing in the street after midnight.
There were a crowd of us teen-agers singing happily after a party. The police man stopped us, said he would tell our mothers and smacked one of the boys for being cheeky.
HOW DIFFERENT NOW, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN HAULED OFF TO THE STATION, AND LOCKED UP FOR THE NIGHT. Police have got too much power, and should be taught to treat the people with respect.”